The use of testosterone as a male contraceptive

Testosterone functions as a contraceptive by suppressing secretion of the p ituitary gonadotropins luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone . Low levels of these hormones decrease endogenous testosterone secretion f rom the testis and deprive developing sperm of the signals required for nor mal maturation. Interference with sperm maturation causes a decline in sper m production and can lead to reversible infertility in men, raising the pos sibility that testosterone could be utilized in a commercially available co ntraceptive. To this end, testosterone has been studied alone and in combin ation with either gonadotropin releasing hormone analogues or progestins in efforts to improve its contraceptive efficacy. In this chapter, we will re view efforts to use testosterone to create a safe, convenient, efficacious contraceptive method for men.